Identification/Symptoms:
Initial infections typically occur on lower cane portions toward the inside of the plant but can also affect leaves and fruit. The first symptom is small, purplish or reddish circular patches on the cane. As they enlarge, the central portion grays, sinks and cracks. Margins raise and purple. Damaged patches are often so clustered that they merge, forming large, irregular areas. Canes eventually girdle and die. Leaves and leaf stems may show various degrees of purple spotting, depending on plant variety. Berries may ripen unevenly and have abnormally small drupelets.

Disease Cycle:
Cause: a fungus spread by spores produced in the small black bodies that form in gray patches in the fall. In winter, the fungi overwinter on infected canes. In spring, splashing rain carries spores to infect new shoots, leaves or fruit.